The predictive role of executive function and verbal ability on theory of mind in adults with visual impairment in...

It is thought that many behaviors that occur in daily life, especially during social communication, are influenced by ToM skills.

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of executive function and verbal ability on theory of mind development in adults with visual impairment in Saudi Arabia context.

Participants volunteered for this study at a nonprofit organization for visually impaired in Saudi Arabia. A total of 110 subjects were selected to participate in the study. Participants ranged in age from 30-70, with a mean age of 50. Advanced ToM, Cognitive Spare Capacity Test and the vocabulary subtest in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale were used.

The findings indicated that executive function and verbal ability directly predicted theory of mind. The three variables were correlated positively and significantly. The indirect effects of executive function on theory of mind via verbal ability (standardized indirect effect = 0.40, p < 0.01, 95% BC CIs = 0.20-0.59) were significant.

The current study provides evidence that executive function and verbal ability play a predictive role on theory of mind in adults with visual impairment. The findings provide direction for further research in this area.